Awakening the Messi template, Florentino Pérez begs me to join Real Madrid

The match is in its 3rd minute.

As expected, Australia's offensive was extremely fierce.

The opposing team's two full-backs are pressing very deep.

The Chinese youth team's direction was compressed into a 30-meter area, and their formation almost became a 6-3-1.

Wu Lei was left alone and isolated in the attacking third.

Wu Shi glanced at the system's data analysis of the match from the sidelines.

[Match Time: 05:15]

[Position: Australia 71%, China U20 29%]

[Shots on goal: Australia 2, China U20 0]

[Dangerous Attacks: Australia 4 times, China U20 0 times]

Although the Chinese youth team was constantly on edge in the first half, and the opponent's attacks were fierce, they managed to defend very well.

Time is moving forward rapidly.

"Beep"

The first half whistle blew, and the national youth team tenaciously held on for the first half.

Although the scene wasn't very pleasant to watch.

Possession was almost 8 to 2

The number of shots on goal was 16 to 2.

Dangerous attack

8 to 0

The second half began with the teams switching sides.

at last.

In the 51st minute of the second half, they capitalized on a corner kick scramble, with the blond center-back outjumping Wang Zhuo to head the ball into the net. 1-0.

Then, the game entered a suffocating pace for the Chinese youth team.

Australians are too smart—no, too cunning.

Instead of pressing their advantage after scoring, Australia retreated into their own half, patiently passing the ball around. Their passes weren't about penetration, but about safety: back to the goalkeeper, across to the full-back, then back to the center-back…

"Push them! Don't let them have it so easy!" Wu Lei shouted hoarsely, charging towards the Australian midfielder with the ball.

When the opponent saw him rushing towards him, he calmly passed the ball back to the center-back, and even shrugged at Wu Lei after passing the ball.

This is an insult. Knowing you're desperate for the ball, knowing you're running out of energy, they calmly tell you: there's no use in rushing.

The national youth team had to commit more players to high-pressing tactics.

However, against technically sound and well-coordinated hosts, such pressing often proves ineffective, instead exposing the defense to the risk of counter-attacks time and again.

Even more fatal is that every time you sprint at full speed and miss, your physical strength and mental state will decline.

In the 68th minute, midfielder Zhou Hai collapsed to the ground clutching his calf after another sprint – he had a cramp. Substitute coach Li was forced to make a substitution.

In the 75th minute, the right-back also suffered cramps after a chase-back attempt. Coach Li used his last substitution.

Right now, the national youth team players on the field are running almost entirely out of sheer willpower.

Wu Lei could clearly hear Chen Liang's heavy breathing beside him and see the pain on Wang Zhuofeng's face every time he turned around. His own legs felt like lead.

My lungs are burning.

Wu Lei braced his hands on his knees, sweat dripping onto the grass.

In the 83rd minute of the match, the scoreboard still showed "0:1".

"That's it, I'm done for."

Next to Wu Shi, there was a fan with gray hair wearing an old Guoan jersey—Old Zhao.

Old Zhao sighed and put down the megaphone he was holding.

"Look at Wang Zhuofeng, his legs are wobbling when he runs."

Wu Shi didn't speak, he just stared intently at the field.

He doesn't even need to look at the system's analysis; relying solely on the players' instincts and professionalism, he can clearly understand the predicament of the national youth team on the field.

Australia's tactical execution is very cunning.

They never managed to score a second goal to seal the victory.

But this doesn't mean they can't, but rather that they're unwilling to take the risk.

Their experience is extensive, much like a clever hunter who doesn't rush to kill his prey but instead uses continuous driving and attrition to exhaust the prey before easily reaping the harvest.

"Those kangaroos are too cunning!" another bespectacled fan, who called himself Old Sun, exclaimed angrily.

"We'll wear you down, wear you down, until you have no one else to replace you!"

"It's a difference in strength," Old Zhao shook his head, his tone helpless. "With two fewer people, it's already quite an achievement that we haven't collapsed yet. The boys have done their best."

"What's the point of trying your best?"

Old Sun got excited, "I want to see them win! I want to see them score! I want to see them..."

His voice trailed off, finally settling into a sigh, "Alas... but we can't win."

Wu Shi listened to their discussion, his gaze following Wu Lei.

As the only spearhead and hope on the field, Wu Lei's every off-the-ball movement immediately attracts the attention of at least two Australian defenders.

In the 85th minute, Wu Lei finally received a difficult ball in midfield. He tried to turn, but was forcefully knocked aside from the side and behind by the opposing defensive midfielder. The referee did not call a foul.

Wu Shi knew this wasn't a foul. Normally, Wu Lei might have been able to hold his own in this kind of physical confrontation, but now, with his stamina waning...

"Brother Lei..." Wu Shi murmured. He wished he could be on the field right now, even if it was just to draw a defender away from Wu Lei, or even just to share the burden of a challenge.

Old Zhao patted him on the shoulder:

"Son, it looks like there's no hope for this game. I know you're feeling even worse than we are. Once your leg heals, the future belongs to you."

future?

Wu Shi wanted to retort, saying that the competition wasn't over yet, so how could there be no hope? But he swallowed his words back.

Wu Shi nodded, his voice hoarse, "There's still time." His words had a double meaning, implying that they had a long road ahead and that the competition was not over yet.

The fans around him nodded in agreement.

In the CCTV studio

"In the 86th minute of the match, the Chinese youth team cleared the ball with a long kick from their own half, and possession returned to Australia."

"It was the same familiar rhythm. Australia controlled the game in their own half, and the Chinese youth team's players made token pressing attempts, but with little effect. The gap in physical fitness was incredibly large at this point."

Huang Jianxiang's voice was tired and heavy.

The camera zooms in on the national youth team's half, showing Wang Zhuofeng bent over with his hands on his knees, his chest heaving. Chen Liang, after a failed tackle, is seen staggering as he walks.

Indeed, the national youth team has given it their all. Zhan Jun adjusted his glasses.

"Coach Li's tactical intention was very clear: tighten the defense and wait for counter-attack opportunities. They did indeed hold on tenaciously in the first half and limited Australia's attack for a considerable period of time."

"But a football match lasts 90 minutes, and when you hit a physical plateau, and your opponent takes advantage of that so patiently, the situation becomes extremely difficult."

"Wu Lei is still running!" Huang Jianxiang suddenly raised his voice.

The footage captured Wu Lei chasing back from the attacking third all the way to the edge of his own penalty area, interfering with an opponent's pass.

"As captain and star player, Wu Lei truly gave it his all. But he was so isolated. Australia's defense against him was top-level, giving him almost no comfortable chance to receive the ball and turn around."

Zhan Jun nodded:

"Without Wu Shi, who can receive the ball, break through, and deliver threatening passes, the national youth team's counter-attacks are indeed very difficult. Wu Lei needs someone to share the pressure with him and needs someone to connect with him. But tonight, he almost single-handedly fought against the entire Australian defense. That's incredibly difficult."

"Time is really running out for the national youth team."

Huang Jianxiang looked at the timer.

"Including stoppage time, it'll probably be only six or seven minutes. They need a miracle, they need a moment for a hero to step up."

"But even heroes need stamina," Zhan Jun said with a wry smile.

"We can only hope that these young people's tenacious willpower can compensate for their extreme physical fatigue and create even one opportunity that is not an opportunity."

Goose Sports Live Streaming Page

The live stream screen was covered by layers upon layers of bullet comments, refreshing so fast that they were impossible to see:

[87th minute]

"I cried, I really cried, Brother Lei was still running!"

"Wang Zhuofeng is exhausted, I feel so sorry for him..."

"There's no one left to replace us; we're truly out of ammunition and supplies."

"Coach Li was out of options; even a skilled cook can't make a meal without rice."

"Actually, we've done quite well playing like this, considering we're missing two key players and are still playing against the host country."

"Screw that! I want to win! I want to go to the finals!"

"Let's be realistic, bro. We're completely out of energy, how are we going to win?"

"If only Wu Shi were here... his long passes and free kicks..."

"Don't even mention it, it makes me feel even worse. Stone, take good care of your injury."

"Australia is too damn shrewd; they'll wear you down like this."

"It's so frustrating, it's really frustrating to watch!"

In the 88th minute, Australia made a careless passing error, the ball went out of bounds, and the Chinese U23 team got a throw-in.

"Hurry! Send it now! There's no time!"

"You're so slow at serving... are you out of energy?"

"If you're so good, you do it yourself. They're probably already seeing stars."

"Wu Lei is asking for the ball! Give it to him quickly!"

[In the 89th minute, a throw-in was headed back by an Australian player. The Chinese youth team's midfielder barely won the ball and launched another high and floaty forward pass, which was easily caught by the Australian goalkeeper.]

"Sigh..." (screen flooded with comments)

"Our attacking options are so limited that we can only resort to long balls."

"I don't have the physical strength to support my technical movements anymore, and my passes are all distorted."

"It's over, it feels like it's over."

"Don't give up! There's still time!"

"It's not that we're giving up, it's just that we've run out of gas..."

[At 89 minutes and 20 seconds, the Australian goalkeeper launched an attack with a throw-in, and after several passes, regained control of the ball in his own half.]

"They've started passing the load around again, disgusting!"

"They're being clever; they're making good use of the rules."

"Time just slipped away like that... My heart aches so much."

"Four years... another four years..."

"At least we secured a spot in the World Junior Championships, sigh..."

The camera suddenly pans to the sidelines, capturing Wu Shi standing up with his crutches, intently watching the game.

"That's... Takeshi!! Holy crap, that's Takeshi! He's actually quite handsome with that hat and glasses."

"The stone leg has stood up!"

"He must be more anxious than anyone else..."

"If only he could go up there, even for ten minutes..."

"There are no 'ifs,' that's football, cruel football."

"I can't bear to watch anymore..."

"Wu Lei! Wu Lei has found an opening! Raise your hand!" Huang Jianxiang's voice suddenly rang out in the live broadcast.

At 92 minutes and 47 seconds, Li Gang, the center-back of the Chinese U20 team, made a near-risking tackle just outside his own penalty area! He slid in and intercepted a careless through ball from Australia! The ball rolled towards the sideline!

The barrage of comments exploded instantly:

"Holy crap! It broke!!!"

"Li Gang is awesome!!!"

"The last shred of courage!!!"

"It's not over yet! It's not over yet!"

[Chen Liang used his last bit of strength to rush towards the sideline, and just before the ball went out of bounds, he hooked it back onto the field with his toe! He himself lost his balance and fell, resulting in a GG (game over) sign!]

"Ryoko!!!"

"Let's give it our all! We'll fight tooth and nail!"

"The ball is still there! An opportunity!!!"

[Wu Lei drops back at full speed from the forward line to receive the ball! Wang Zhuofeng grits his teeth and makes a forward run! The Australian defense seems to have underestimated the Chinese youth team's ability to launch a counterattack at this moment, and becomes somewhat lax!]

"Wu Lei has the ball! Turn around!"

"There's an opening up ahead! The Australian defense isn't in position!"

"Pass it on! Give it to Wang Zhuofeng!"

"Or bring your own! Go for it, Lei Ge!"

[Wu Lei turned, facing the first defender rushing towards him, he didn't pass the ball, but instead used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball forward and to the right, and then, in this extreme situation! He forcefully overtook the opponent!]

In the studio, Huang Jianxiang almost roared:

"Wu Lei! He's made a powerful breakthrough! He's past the defense! He's smashed through and is charging into the penalty area!!"

Zhan Jun speaks very quickly:

"An explosive burst of energy under immense physical strain! A victory of willpower! A teammate was following up on the right, but Wu Lei chose to go it alone!"

Wu Lei dribbles into the right side of the penalty area! Australia's last center-back retreats while fighting, blocking the inside cut-in route, and the goalkeeper also begins to move to block the near post!

The entire room fell silent.

All the substitutes on the national youth team's bench stood up.

Old Li unconsciously moved his feet toward the opponent's half of the court.

In the stands, Wu Shi forgot to breathe, and his cane fell to the ground with a clatter.

The live chat seemed to freeze at that moment, as if everyone was holding their breath in anticipation.

Then, with a very tight angle and his body almost out of balance, Wu Lei used his left foot, which he doesn't usually use, to deliver a low shot!

The ball speed isn't fast, but the angle is extremely tricky!

It grazed the inside side netting and rolled into the goal!

"Goal!!!!!"

Huang Jianxiang's roar, Zhan Jun's outburst, the frenzy on the national youth team's bench, the explosion in the southeast corner of the stands, the tears that welled up in Wu Shi and the fans around him, and the barrage of comments on the screen that completely overwhelmed everything:

"Aa ...

"Wu Lei!!!!!!!!! King Wu!!!!!!!!!"

"1-1!!!!!!!!! A last-minute tie!!!!!!!!!"

"Who said we're out of gas?! Who said it's over?!"

"Grit!! This is the grit of Chinese football!!!"

"I cried, and my mom asked me why I was kneeling and crying!!!"

"Wu Lei! You are my god!!!"

"There's still time! There's still a chance!!"

"Go to overtime! Drag them out!!!"

"Wu Lei is awesome! The national youth team is awesome!!!"

The scoreboard shows: 1:1.

Time: 93rd minute.

In the face of despair, that stubborn heart roared with deafening fury at the last moment.

Home fans

The previous cheers and shouts of encouragement were drowned out by the cheers of the national youth team fans.

After a while.

The home fans were in an uproar.

Most fans continued to cheer for their home team.

However, some boos were mixed in with the cheers.

Several fans have already started discussing it.

"They showed no fighting spirit after scoring in the second half."

"If they had killed the game earlier, this wouldn't have happened."

"Don't these players learn their lesson? They were tied in the group stage, and now they think they can hold on with just one goal in the knockout stage?"

"Meathead"

Then the whistle blew to end the second half.

The match, tied 1-1, was dragged into overtime by the Chinese youth team.

In the Goose Sports live broadcast room, the host said:

Take a short break and don't go too far. After the game ends, Goose Sports will continue to bring you live coverage of the overtime game.